The Other Side Presidential Politics

Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO) is testing the waters in Iowa with immigration as his signature and perhaps singular issue. While is it exceedingly doubtful that the GOP will select such a dark horse candidate, his possible candidacy will force the other candidates to address the wedge issue of immigration. The temptation for Republicans will be to play to the red meat base by demonizing illegal immigrants. The pro-business part of the GOP base (e.g. the WSJ) likes immigration. The ability of George W. Bush to finesse this issue contrasts with Pete Wilson’s strong anti-immigrant stance. Wilson alienated Hispanics while Bush courted them. Now California, a state that used to vote Republican is solidly blue, and Texas, a state that used to vote Democratic, is solidly red. George Bush is president and Pete Wilson is a former governor. Governor Schwarzenegger may be following in Wilson’s footsteps.

How big an issue is immigration for Republicans? It is huge. Republican congressional members' constituents care more about immigration and border security than any other issue, according to a new congressional insiders poll. One Republican called immigration the "highest-octane issue in America."

Leo Brown | July 18, 2005 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: The Other Side Presidential Politics

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